Cancer Treatment and Claiming PIP

maddanj

Hi,

I've offered to help my friend who has stage 3 agressive breast cancer and has started a course of weekly chemo for 6 months prior to having surgery. She is unable to function very well due to the side effects of the chemo and other medications.

Has anyone any advice on how to approach the claim or successful claims? I want to be as helpful as possible without asking her too many invasive questions.

Thanks in advance. Angie

OverlyAnxious

Hi,

Unfortunately it will be difficult to go through the PIP process without asking personal questions or without your friend being able to function well enough to access the assessment on their own.

Perhaps you could become their appointee instead if you both feel that would be appropriate. That way you would manage the claim on their behalf.

Cancer doesn't offer a fast-pass to PIP in the same that it does with Universal Credit, so the process is the same as it would be for anyone else. (With the exception of terminal illness, but it sounds like that is not the case here).

PIP points are based on descriptors which are all about completing tasks, rather than the conditions themselves. If you haven't seen the descriptors so far, there is a good list on this website link.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) points system

If you would like some cancer specific advice towards filling in the PIP forms, I would recommend trying Macmillan who offer tailored support for this.

maddanj

Thanks

UC doesn't offer a fast pass and that's not what Idoesn't offer a fast pass. I was looking for advice from those that had gone through this who will understand the sensitivities involved when you're supporting somebody

Thanks for suggesting Macmillan what's my first thought but oversubscribed and it's important for her that we do this now before she becomes too weak with the cumulative effects of weekly radical chemo.

Rachel_Scope

Hi @maddanj. It's so wonderful that you're helping your friend through this. Applying for PIP can be a stressful process and it will involve lots of questions unfortunately. Cancer Research UK have an online community like this one where you should be able to find someone with experience https://cancerchat.cancerresearchuk.org/f/caring-for-someone-with-cancer .

I hope this is helpful. Best wishes to both you and your friend.

OverlyAnxious

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1104513#Comment_1104513

You're welcome.

UC is fast-tracked for people with cancer. They usually get LCWRA automatically when receiving chemo or radiotherapy, without having to go through the WCA assessment.